Yonkers: Analysis for Friday 12/17

MEET STATS: 410 - 1221 / $2,193.70 (-$248.30)

BEST BETS: 56 - 113 / $174.40 (-$51.60)

Best Bet: FRONTIER ROLLO (1st)

Spot Play: LISBURN (11th)

Race 1: 3&4YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(5) FRONTIER ROLLO was heavily favored last week at The Meadowlands but he faltered late and ended up third. Beckwith trainee moves back to the small track and looks perfectly spotted here. (7) MR KELLY is a proven entity with this type and though he had trouble with a second move last week he deserves another try even from the outside post; Brennan is back driving. (1) MIDNIGHT REBEL drops in for a tag after defeating NW2's and the Jenn Bongiorno trainee should be working out a live trip from this spot.

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Race 2: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(4) KIMANI N was badly bothered last week when trying to secure position leaving from the outside post; he changes hands again to the Bako barn and gets needed post improvement. (1) MISTER HAT finished well last week to be second best and he's got a good shot from this inside post. (5) UNDERTAKER has been racing well at Philly since the $10K claim by trainer Franz Wolf.

Race 3: 3&4YO $30,000 Claiming Pace

(2) FOOLISH PROPHET returned from Western New York, took action from the seven hole and was outbattled in a good try. He draws well in this competitive event and should be in line for a live trip. (1) KEYSTONE NOLAN was super last week at 16/1 for Pat Lachance, as he essentially cut his own mile behind the runaway leader then took up the chase when that one stopped and he had enough left to wear down the others. (6) ROCKIN JUKEBOX picked up Dube last week and just missed from the pocket; he drives again and needs another alert getaway.

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Race 4: $20,000 Claiming Pace

(5) SEAFARER had an easy trip last week but still proved strong winning; I'll use again hoping he's a good price with his main competition inside of him. (4) LETTUCERIPRITA A gets Brennan back in the bike, and he seems to get along best with this veteran. (2) STARK HANOVER is worth mentioning on the barn change to Cory Stratton; brother Jordan drives and he does have good early speed.

Race 5: $12,500 Claiming Pace

(6) BUGGER BRUISER dropped back to the basement claiming level last week and responded with a front-end score; it looks like he'll have a clear path to the lead again tonight. (8) FASHIONONTHEBEACH was also a winner in his last start and he also has speed to get off the gate in a hurry; could these guys line up one-two? (5) TASTE OF HISTORY hasn't won in quite some time but he can usually be counted on for a share.

Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(3) HALO ITS ME had plenty of finishing trot once clear last week and Bongiorno picks up the drive again; mare looks like the one with the best shot of upsetting the streaking (1) WET MY WHISTLE. The latter has taken three straight graduating from the NW conditions and now the Svanstedt-trained filly tackles some more seasoned foes. (2) WINDSONG PIONEER wasn't bad last week and he draws inside again.

Race 7: $15,000 Claiming Pace

(1) MAJESTIC KIWI N finished decently last week in his second return start and he'll be stalking the speed tonight. With a bit of trip luck he can get it done. (5) IN THE HUDDLE is likely the one to catch but he needs to show more finishing. (2) COACH CAL stalled on the rim last week trying to make a second move from the eight hole but he draws much better tonight and can be a part of this.

Race 8: NW15000 in last 5 starts Trot

(3) CAVILL HANOVER was never a player in his last three while facing better but note the start prior he was a solid winner at this NW15000 level. Chance to awaken here. (8) ROCK OF CASHEL has his work cut for him from the eight hole but he is classiest here by far and must be considered. (2) ETHAN T HANOVER broke before the start last week, ending his night early. Assume that was just a fluke and this 3-year-old should be a prominent player.

Race 9: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace

(6) OUR MAX PHACTOR N returns locally with significant class relief and also he gets Bartlett in the bike, who I suspect will be trying to generate early speed with the Harris trainee. (2) SYYWAY VICTOR gets a free ride after wiring the field just four days ago. (4) HEAVEN’S GAIT needed to show much more than he did last week, where he took plenty of money in that abbreviated field but didn't fire. He's better than that.

Race 10: Open Handicap Trot

(5) AMIGO VOLO arrived here last week and blew the field away in track record time. He now faces better at the top level but a repeat of that effort will make him an easy winner again. (7) WARRIOR ONE now has a five race second-place finish streak going and he could have won his last start if he wasn't gapped a bit and if he had sufficient stretch clearance. Burke trainee is an obvious player again. (3) SECRET BRO held decently last week after flashing speed and coming uncovered; his post edge gives him a clear path to the top.

Race 11: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace

(4) LISBURN dropped to this level last week and was forced to come uncovered into the well-rated pace controlled by two streaking rivals. Trip and result can be different tonight. (3) WHOS BETTER returned to Yonkers and handled easier. He's got back class so the double-jump doesn't concern me. (1) REDBANK BLAZE A has been in against too tough recently, so this field should be more to his liking.

Race 12: NW30000 in last 5 starts Trot

(2) HAYEK made a costly miscue three back but otherwise he's been on a very sharp form spree, including last week when he finished with plenty behind Amigo Volo. Engblom trainee looks like a deserving favorite in the finale. (3) HILL OF A HORSE gets Stratton in his second race off the bench and he could show more. (4) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN was overwhelmed by the aforementioned Amigo Volo last start and he tired to third; Bucci trainee can be hit-or-miss sometimes but he's a talented money-earner.